Jealousy and frantic greetings

[nic]

My new rescue rottie, Lolly, is becoming very possessive of me after two weeks. She has to share me with an old male submissive sheperd/dingo cross, Sabre, and doesn't like it one bit! He has been with me 12 years and they do play together sometimes.
Lolly will often block the back door and Sabre won't try to get past her - he just yelps for me to come and let him in..
If I try to touch Sabre for about half an hour after I get home from work Lolly will take my hand in her mouth and try to fend me off. She's very gentle with my hand, but very insistent. I want to be able to handle him in her presence when I get in without her going nuts. After about half an hour, she's much less concerned.
I also need to find a way to stop her going absolutely insanely crazy when I get home. She's left bruises all up and down my legs from jumping up to get to me in her frantic need to be first to get 'loves'. I've been bending down to her level as soon as I come in. Is this the right thing to do? It's also difficult if I have an armful of shopping. I want to be able to take her to work with me in a nursing home, so she mustn't jump up on people. The knee in the chest trick is water off a duck's back - is it worth persisting with?
Once the franticness is over with, she's placid and calm, and a joy to be around. She will approach anyone happily and give their fingers a lick.
I don't know whether I should give in and let her have all my attention when I come in, for ten minutes (and perhaps make the problem worse), or whether I should force her to share. Help! Nic.

[katheyt]

I don't have a lot of experience with rescues so I don't know if it's too early for this. I kept a pinch collar on my dog and a small tab so I could correct bad behavior even in the house. Remember to correct downward with the junmping.

[worm0013]

Nice to have such an enthousiastic dog, but when she is causing bruises? It's not so nice anymore. I think it is important that you show Lolly that you descide who's getting attention first and what you do first while entering the house (putting away grosseries maybe). It will be hard since y're glad to see her to ofcourse. Start by ignoring her when you enter the house. Don't make eyecontact with her and do not speack to her, pretend she isn't there. Go to Sabre first and 'pet'him first. Afterall he's the oldest and has more right then the 'newcomer'.
If Lolly is making this impossible for you,
say "NO!" in a firm way, without looking at her. Most probably she will continue, then
'throw' her on the floor. Place yr. hand behind her head in her neck push her head down and at the same time with yr. other hand
pull her side towards you. Result: Lolly is laying at her side on the groud then turn her on her back and say "Enough!"
(Maybe it sounds a bit cruel but by doing that you don't hurt her and she will perfectly understand what you are saying.
"I am in control, you are nothing" Dogs among eachother do the same) If she repeats her actions you do it too. First "NO!" if that does not work the 'backthing'.
You only have to do this a copple of times because I am convinced she gets the picture.
Again this is really effective, without hurting yr. dog. I have two rottweilers, both from a shelter. My male dog 'Max'already had 3 former owners before we got him, his faith in humans really was destroyed. It took us 1,5 year to 'fix'him. So I think I know what I am talking about and I want dogs to be treated with respect. We now have Max for 4 years and he is great. I always try to think like a dog, because that's the only way to really treat him/her good!
Good Luck!
Liz

[German Vanegas]

What is her age and her level of obedience-control?

[nic]

German - 18 months old and very, very basic obedience (none, really). Doesn't understand sit. Learns quickly tho.

Worm - I'll try to work out the throwing on the floor thing and try it on her.

[worm0013]

Nic,
Pls. let us/me know how this continues and how yr. dog reacts to this.
I'm not an expert but I can just tell and maybe help you from my own experience.
Good Luck!
Liz

[German Vanegas]

Nic,
There is the problem right there: an 18 months old Rottie that urgently needs basic obedience training.

Basic obedience teaches the dog to obey and perform as commanded, thus giving its handler control over it. You have to start working on it as soon as possible. There are different ways to accomplished such goal. You can purchase either a good training book or video on the subject; you can hire a professional dog trainer; or you can join group classes at a pet store (I hope your dog is well socialized with people and other dogs though). But you have to basic trained your dog. When you attained control on your dog, you will see a tremendous improvement in her overall behavior. Please, don't procrastinate, get on it! Good luck!

[Ainhoa]

Relax
First you need some ideas clear. I agree with all that have been said here, but every thing has it's moment and place. I rescued a 1 yr old rottie in march, a male and I had a female GSD mix before and things have changed a lot in the past 3 months. Of course obedience is very important, if you're going to keep a Rottie you need to now that he will obey you to be able to control him. The trick of not looking at her had worked out well for me too, but try to understand the dog. First, she is looking for her place with you. I'm sure the behaviour among them is not that bad if you are not near. When I brought Dabo, he even attacked my poor submissive and seriously ill female a couple of times, until I decided to let them alone and together in the back yard and their relationship evolved to make of them the best of friends. They spend together every single minute of the day. We passed a very difficult time at the begining. First, I was very nervous and concerned about my little baby, the female and Dabo's behaviour. The rottie wanted all time and attention and the female needed it due to her illness. Fortunately, you also have a male and a female. Had your old dog been a female and the rottie a male, it would have been easier. Try obedience classes and at the same time, ignore her when she disturbs you or your other dog when you arrive home and let a bit of time to put things on it's place. I use to go for a walk every evening with the female, while Dabo stays at home. The first two months, I had to tie Dabo to be able to go out with the other dog, and he became mad evey day. Now, I still go out every day with her and Dabo ignores us.
He is so strong, that I ignore him if I'm carring the baby or the shopping and he leaves me alone until I come back to say 'hello'. It was different before. He used to jump and push me, there is a big difference and it's only 3 months since he came. ¿How long is it since you rescued her?. She can and should learn that you're going to stay, to keep her and needs to protect nothing 'cause no one is going to get her new home and owner from her. Keep us informed
Ainhoa

[German Vanegas]

Nic,
Basic obedience training on a Rottweiler is not an option, is a must. You can ignore all you want your dog's current behavior expecting her to cool-off, but you will never attain any real progress until you assume the leader of the pack role and get control over your dog. If your dog doesn't respond positevely to your commands, you put yourself in an undesired situation. You have to lead the way, don't wait until you female gets any older... the problems will worsen, I can guarantee you it will not get any better. So far, your dog is taking the "upper-hand" and trying to submitt you. Take control! train you dog to obey you unchallenged and without hesitation.

[German Vanegas]

Yes, bonding with your dog is absolutely essential. From what you described, she already seems to recognized you as that one important person around. Bonding methods such as going on pleasant walks, personally feeding your dog, stay around while she eats, playing some games... while training her too. Basic obedience training is a way to bond with your dog, the dog needs an alpha leader that establishes the rules and expected behavior. Since the training is basic, you start teaching her the serious meaning of the word "NO!!", that you want her to sit before you acknowlegde anything from her, that she needs to relax in the down position, that she has to come when recall, and so forth. Your dog will be happier knowing that you are the leader of the pack and you are leading the way. Bonding and basic training can go all together. I have done myself.

[Orville Story]

I agree that you must obtain control, no doubt. But first there is a bonding period.
This is what I do with a new dog. I keep the dog away from all other dogs for the first three weeks. This is a good ideal for two reasons. One, the dog must get all social sitmulation from me and me alone. Two, health reasons, you never know what the dog brings with it.

The next thing I do is simply take the dog on walks. I do not give any commands, I really don't even talk much at all. I will walk the dog on a flexi, stop and let the dog smell around. Then I will get up, and start another mini walk, I never call the dog, I dont look back, I just go. If the dog does not follow by the time I reach the end of the flexi, I give a quick jerk. Soon the dog is following, and watching me. Then I give treats after the dog accepts I am the leader. All is done very clam, and quite at the dogs pace. The next step is I walk the dog off lead. If the dog gets ahead of me, I turn and go the other way, I never call the dog, I just go. This reaffirms my position as the alpha the dog must watch me, not the other way around. Now I have alot of private acreage so I can do this without conderation of the dog running onto some else's property.

At this point the dog is ready for obedience. If I start before then I must deal with reluctance. It is to hard to train a reluctant dog, when with a little time the dog can be eager.

It is not important on how a new owner motivates his dog to become eager by the end of the bonding period, only that it happens.

I would say that with this girl wanting your attention so much that you are almost there.
Maybe you can make her work for it a little harder. When you come home simply ignore her just a little. And you stop the petting before she has enough. This puts you in a better position to train.

[nic]

Wow! I'm overwhelmed with all the responses. You're a nice bunch of people. I started at training classes with Lolly a week ago. I realise absolutely that I must be in control of her if she's to be nice to be around, and one of the reasons I rottied again was that I wanted a dog I could do a lot of training with.
Apart from that ten minutes when I first get in, she's very accepting of my authority. I think that she's well socialised because I've been able to mix her with other dogs and many people without a problem. The rolling her over on her back thing didn't work well, because I'm not big/strong enough to do it with a dog who's going ballistic at the time. Ignoring, however, is easier. I've left a pair of thick track pants by the front door and I wear them whenever I have to greet her, so that I can ignore her and survive. She's getting the message.... I'll keep you posted. Nic
PS - Oh, and she's listening to me now when I say No!! when I have to tend to my other dog, who is wearing a bucket at the moment after eye surgery.

[nic]

Oh the joy of it when a plan works! and the interesting thing is that the more I ignore her when I first come in, the more she's playing with the other dog at all times.There's only one pack leader now in my house, and I'm it...

[rottiholt]

I am SO glad you took Germans advice. So
many people feel THEY are a good enough
trainer that they won't take their Rott
to a class. 9 times out 10 the dog's wind
up going back.
I don't think it can be stressed enough
that this breed NEED'S control at a young
age or they wind up in control.
Good Luck

------------------

[nic]

Thanks, guys! I just got back from walking the dogs and now I'm watching Sabre try to chew Lolly's ear off. She doesn't mind a bit - a far cry from the first few days! The greeting thing is going slowly, but sttill going. I continue to need to wrap myself in something heavy before entering the house, but now only for a minute. Nic.